Tofu Pad See Ew

Pad See Ew is a popular Thai stir-fried noodle dish that combines wide rice noodles, meat (often chicken, pork, or beef), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), and egg. It’s known for its savory flavor, which comes from dark soy sauce, and a slight sweetness from light soy sauce and sometimes sugar. The name “Pad See Ew” translates to “fried with soy sauce,” with the “See Ew” referring to the dark soy sauce that gives the dish its characteristic deep, rich color and umami flavor.

In this recipe, we’re using tofu, making it a delightful vegetarian twist on the classic. However, you can go for a meat option like chicken or beef.

Cooking Tips:

• High Heat: Stir-frying over high heat is essential to achieve a bit of “char” on the noodles and tofu.
• Pre-Cook Tofu: Pan-frying tofu separately before adding it to the noodles will help it retain its texture and prevent breaking.

Tofu Pad See Ew is incredibly easy, quick, and simple to make, making it perfect for busy weeknights or a quick meal prep option. It only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish, thanks to its minimal ingredient list and straightforward stir-frying technique.

The dish holds up well as leftovers, so you can make a larger batch to have ready for work lunches throughout the week. Just a quick reheat, and you have a flavorful, satisfying meal that tastes just as delicious as the day you made it. Plus, it packs neatly into a lunchbox, making it a fantastic option for on-the-go meals!

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Steps:

1. In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Set aside.
2. If using dry rice noodles, soak them according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add the tofu cubes and cook until golden on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of oil. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the Chinese broccoli and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until tender but still crisp.
5. Add the cooked noodles and sauce to the skillet. Toss everything together until the noodles are evenly coated in the sauce.
6. Push the noodles to one side of the skillet and crack the eggs into the empty space. Scramble them lightly, then mix them into the noodles.
7. Add the cooked tofu back into the skillet. Toss everything gently to combine.
8. Serve and garnish with green onions or red pepper flakes if desired.

Tofu Pad See Ew

Dee

Here's a flavorful and easy Tofu Pad See Ew recipe – a classic Thai stir-fried noodle dish with a smoky, savory sauce and crisp-tender veggies.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course, Meal Prep

Cuisine Asian, Thai

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

Sauce

• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce, use mushroom sauce for vegan
• 1/2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp rice wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp water, to loosen the sauce

Pad See Ew

• 200g flat rice sticks/noodles
• 300g firm tofu, pressed and cubed
• 1/2 cup plain flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch, alternatively tapioca starch
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• neutral oil
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 200g Chinese broccoli (gai lan), chopped (or substitute with broccolini)
• white pepper
• lime wedges, for serving (optional)

Instructions

 

• Cook noodles according to package instructions. Rinse with cold water and set aside.
• Combine flour and cornstarch, toss tofu and ensure it is coated evenly.
• In a large pan, heat 4 tbsp oil over medium-high heat. Add tofu and cook until golden on all sides. It will take 6-8 minutes, remove and set aside. While tofu is cooking, combine sauce ingredients.
• In the same pan, add another 1 tbsp oil. Sauté garlic until fragrant. Add Chinese broccoli/broccollini stems first, stir-fry for 1 min, then add the leafy parts.
• Push veggies to the side, add eggs and scramble, mix everything together.
• Add the noodles and tofu. Pour in soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Toss well to coat everything evenly. Let the noodles sit for a few seconds to caramelise slightly before stirring again.

Notes

• If using dried noodles, cook until soft but slightly chewy. Rinse with cold water and set aside.
• Crisp the Tofu:
  In a large pan or wok, heat 1 tbsp oil over medium-high heat. Add tofu and cook until golden on all sides. Remove and set aside.
• Aromatics & Veggies:
  In the same pan, add another 1 tbsp oil. Sauté garlic until fragrant (~30 sec). Add Chinese broccoli stems first, stir-fry for 1 min, then add the leafy parts.
• Add Egg (Optional):
  Push veggies to the side, crack in the egg, scramble, and mix everything together.
• Noodles & Sauce:
  Add the noodles and tofu. Pour in soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Toss well to coat everything evenly. Let the noodles sit for a few seconds to caramelize slightly before stirring again.

Keyword 45 Minutes, dinner recipes, Healthy recipes, High protein, noodle recipes, Thai, Tofu recipes, Vegetarian